Fight Night does what any good "sports sim" should: It teaches you how to excel at the sport it sims while still remaining fun, somehow. Success in this game hinges entirely on mastering the fundamentals of real boxing—working the ring, deflecting punches, tiring out your opponent. This may sound boring, but the simple controls make it far easier, and far more addictive, than you'd think. Also, the action only gets fiercer in the online ring (PS2 only). All my bouts against Bryan (or, according to his created boxer's nickname, "The Ladies' Man") were lag-free. Now let's get it on!

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.